# Republicans: candidate who assaulted reporter is fine with us! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 25, 2017, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443 "2017-05-25T21:36:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/101 "2017-05-26T16:21:38Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Ho hum. Let me be the first to say I would not vote for, or support, Rep. Moran based on this conduct. See? That wasn’t so hard. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/102 "2017-05-26T16:23:10Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > But when Miller-Young’s case was discussed here on the SDMB, the reactions to her crime were muted. Was she elected to Congress? ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/103 "2017-05-26T16:23:41Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > It’s not clear to me that the best description of the reporter is, “Just doing his job.” For example, if a reporter asks a question and a politician replies, “No comment,” I’d say that repeating the question immediately is not “doing his job.” It’s badgering. It’s the press’ job, within the law and within reason, to ‘badger’ (as you put it) public officials. It’s their job and their right under the constitution to gather facts about the people who run for and hold office. If any politician, republican or democrat, can’t stand up to some basic scrutiny, then he ought not to run for office. At minimum, he could have simply held a private fundraiser in which reporters were barred. > [@Bricker](#): > > This is an example, not a claim that this actually happened here. But do you agree with the example? As you say, there’s no evidence that the Guardian was badgering him. He was just asking him questions he didn’t like. Again, that’s part of the job description for a reporter, and it’s part of the congressman’s job description to either answer them or just walk away. > [@Bricker](#): > > Where to begin? > > Reporters have no “constitutional duty.” They have a job, which is generally constitutional. I’m not aware of any reporters jailed for acts that are constitutionally permissible. Yeah I’ve seen this before. Just pretend like you don’t know what I’m talking about. No sense in discussing this further then. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/104 "2017-05-26T16:23:58Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > I’d be surprised if this were true. I am also surprised that you don’t think the context of physically assaulting a reporter is a relevant distinction, given the larger attacks on the press and freedom of the press coming from the GOP. I don’t agree there are meaningful attacks on the “freedom of the press,” coming from the GOP. There are, to be sure, a series of idiotic ruminations from Trump about reforming libel laws, but Trump knows as much about reforming libel laws and the constitutional constraints involved as a goat knows about prime factorization. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/105 "2017-05-26T16:26:01Z")
Well,“The Hammer” only won by 6 points, a lot less than the 20 points Trump took the state by. Still, I had him winning by no more than 5 points. I wonder how he would have fared if there was no “early voting”, something 300,000+ voters took advantage of. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/106 "2017-05-26T16:29:00Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Let me be the first to say I would not vote for, or support, Rep. Moran based on this conduct. See? That wasn’t so hard. No matter who his opponent was? I ask because Moran managed to get elected once or twice after that 1995 incident. In fact, Democrats elected him in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012. He retired, undefeated, in 2014. So while I appreciate your principled declaration, it seems that lots of people in VA-8 didn’t agree. And I suspect you’re not shocked. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/107 "2017-05-26T16:29:57Z")
The best the Democrats can put up against a body-slamming Republican is some banjo-playing hippie with bad credit, and they still lose by seven points. This does not bode well for their prospects in 2018 - or 2020. The Dems are now, what, 0 for 3 in special elections. I am getting a sinking feeling about whoever the Dems are going to nominate in 2020. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/108 "2017-05-26T16:31:07Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > But I agree assault is not permissible, and I support the criminal justice system taking its course. The punishment for assault in MT is up to six months in jail. How effective would you say a representative of the U.S. House of Representatives who is serving a six-month jail sentence in Montana would be in representing his constituents? Further, should he receive his full salary for only serving 75% of his term? You may assume that he shouldn’t or won’t get the maximum penalty, but I would argue that the profession of his victim and circumstance of the assault displays an apparent intent to intimidate both his victim and others of his profession, warranting a much stronger punishment than, say, a run-of-the-mill argument gone bad first offense. I think it’s very important to make it crystal clear to Gianforte (and to his peers), given the certainty of future interactions with the press, that this behavior is not an acceptable solution for shutting down questions you’re uncomfortable answering. Personally, I strongly feel that a criminal conviction for violent crime, misdemeanor or felony, should disqualify a candidate for public office until at least they have served their time and/or completed community service. If the conviction occurs while in office, they should be discharged of their office and are free to run again following completion of sentence. Why? Because I want people who follow the existing law determining what our laws should be, and violent crime should neither be ignored nor rewarded. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/109 "2017-05-26T16:31:26Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > House members vote on measures like prohibiting federal money to be used to procure abortions. You mean like the Hyde Amendment prohibited 40 years ago, and nobody’s seriously challenged it in the past 30 years? ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/110 "2017-05-26T16:34:39Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Not jailed, just assaulted by a candidate for Congress. What does that have to do with the Constitution? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/111 "2017-05-26T16:36:04Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > No matter who his opponent was? > > I ask because Moran managed to get elected once or twice after that 1995 incident. In fact, Democrats elected him in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012. He retired, undefeated, in 2014. > > So while I appreciate your principled declaration, it seems that lots of people in VA-8 didn’t agree. > > And I suspect you’re not shocked. No, I am not shocked. Disappointed perhaps. And bewildered that this is the hill you choose to die on. I’m pretty forgiving of a lot of personal flaws in my friends, family, and politicians. Physical violence, however, is a deal-breaker. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/112 "2017-05-26T16:38:41Z")
> [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > You may assume that he shouldn’t or won’t get the maximum penalty, but I would argue that the profession of his victim and circumstance of the assault displays an apparent intent to intimidate both his victim and others of his profession, warranting a much stronger punishment than, say, a run-of-the-mill argument gone bad first offense. I think it’s very important to make it crystal clear to Gianforte (and to his peers), given the certainty of future interactions with the press, that this behavior is not an acceptable solution for shutting down questions you’re uncomfortable answering. I would in turn argue that despite the case you make above, as a first offender charged with a misdemeanor he won’t get jail time. Moreover, that sentencing decision will be absolutely in line with other first offender sentences. The concerns you have about ineffectiveness and salary due to jailing won’t arise. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/113 "2017-05-26T16:39:02Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > The best the Democrats can put up against a body-slamming Republican is some banjo-playing hippie with bad credit, and they still lose by seven points. This does not bode well for their prospects in 2018 - or 2020. Montana went to Trump by like +20 over Clinton. A banjo-playing hippie cut that lead by 2/3. This is actually really bad news for Republicans. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/114 "2017-05-26T16:39:05Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > No matter who his opponent was? > > I ask because Moran managed to get elected once or twice after that 1995 incident. In fact, Democrats elected him in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012. He retired, undefeated, in 2014. > > So while I appreciate your principled declaration, it seems that lots of people in VA-8 didn’t agree. > > And I suspect you’re not shocked. You might want to talk to your fellow Virginians about that, then. Crying about it in a thread about a reporter-assaulting Republican in Montana seems…specious. What’s next, Burr killing Hamilton? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/115 "2017-05-26T16:40:51Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > No, I am not shocked. Disappointed perhaps. And bewildered that this is the hill you choose to die on. I’m pretty forgiving of a lot of personal flaws in my friends, family, and politicians. Physical violence, however, is a deal-breaker. If that’s the case for you, it isn’t for most of the rest of the voting public in Montana or Virginia-8. So why should your personal preference guide events and not theirs? Virginia-8 liked Moran as a Congressman so much they were willing to accept the fact that he punched a fellow Congressman. Why should your view that the act is disqualifying win out over theirs? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/116 "2017-05-26T16:42:22Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > You might want to talk to your fellow Virginians about that, then. Crying about it in a thread about a reporter-assaulting Republican in Montana seems…specious. What’s next, Burr killing Hamilton? But it’s not. It shows that assaulting someone is not per se disqualification in Montana or Virginia-8. What about that is specious? ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/117 "2017-05-26T16:44:03Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > But it’s not. It shows that assaulting someone is not per se disqualification in Montana or Virginia-8. What about that is specious? The fact that you’re _still_ fucking that liberal hypocrisy chicken. It’s dead, Jim. Give it a fucking rest. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/118 "2017-05-26T16:44:26Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > If that’s the case for you, it isn’t for most of the rest of the voting public in Montana or Virginia-8. So why should your personal preference guide events and not theirs? Virginia-8 liked Moran as a Congressman so much they were willing to accept the fact that he punched a fellow Congressman. Why should your view that the act is disqualifying win out over theirs? I’m sorry, I thought I was clear that I was speaking of my own views about what is “disqualifying.” And urging you to adopt the same standards. As for the rest of the voting populace, we can only hope to lead by example. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/119 "2017-05-26T16:45:27Z")
Frankly, I think the HoR could use a few banjo-playing hippies in its ranks. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/120 "2017-05-26T16:49:13Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > But it’s not. It shows that assaulting someone is not per se disqualification in Montana or Virginia-8. What about that is specious? It’s your second attempt, in this thread alone, to hold up a liberal and cry “WHAT ABOUT THIS???!!”, while attempting to divert attention from the fact the GOP candidate in Montana assaulted a reporter who asked a question he didn’t like, LIED about it in the face of an audio recording and the words of other reporters who were in the room, and was elected, while Congressional Republicans all but cheered. It appears that your wanderings are relevant to the topic at hand, but they’re not. It’s just another attempt to cry about liberal hypocrisy, and more blatant then your usual tripe. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443.md?page=7)